Eble JN, Sauter G., Epstein JI, Sesterhenn IA - iarc
Eble JN, Sauter G., Epstein JI, Sesterhenn IA - iarc
Eble JN, Sauter G., Epstein JI, Sesterhenn IA - iarc
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prostate adenocarcinomas exhibit AR<br />
immunoreactivity in greater than 50% of<br />
tumour cells, with increasing heterogeneity<br />
occurring with increasing histologic<br />
grade and pathologic stage {1592}.<br />
Some studies have shown AR heterogeneity<br />
or loss in a subset of AR independent<br />
tumours, suggesting one mechanism<br />
of androgen resistance may be AR<br />
loss {1592,2559}. Because androgen<br />
insensitivity may occur without loss of AR<br />
immunoreactivity, positive AR immunophenotype<br />
may not reliably distinguish androgen<br />
dependent from independent tumours<br />
{1592}. Imumunostaining for AR is not in<br />
routine clinical use.<br />
Histologic variants<br />
The following histologic variants of<br />
prostate adenocarcinoma are typically<br />
seen in association with ordinary acinar<br />
adenocarcinoma. However, on limited<br />
biopsy material, the entire sampled<br />
tumour may demonstrate only the variant<br />
morphology.<br />
Atrophic variant<br />
As described under histopathology, most<br />
prostate cancers have abundant cytoplasm.<br />
An unusual variant of prostate<br />
cancer resembles benign atrophy owing<br />
to its scant cytoplasm. Although ordinary<br />
prostate cancers may develop atrophic<br />
cytoplasm as a result of treatment (see<br />
carcinoma affected by hormone therapy),<br />
atrophic prostate cancers are usually<br />
unassociated with such a prior history<br />
{467,664}. The diagnosis of carcinoma in<br />
these cases may be based on several<br />
features. First, atrophic prostate cancer<br />
may demonstrate a truly infiltrative<br />
process with individual small atrophic<br />
glands situated between larger benign<br />
glands. In contrast, benign atrophy has a<br />
lobular configuration. A characteristic<br />
finding in some benign cases of atrophy<br />
is the presence of a centrally dilated<br />
atrophic gland surrounding by clustered<br />
smaller glands, which has been termed<br />
"post-atrophic hyperplasia (PAH)" {83}.<br />
Although the glands of benign atrophy<br />
may appear infiltrative on needle biopsy,<br />
they are not truly infiltrative, as individual<br />
benign atrophic glands are not seen infiltrating<br />
in between larger benign glands.<br />
Whereas some forms of atrophy, are<br />
associated with fibrosis, atrophic<br />
prostate cancer lack such a desmoplastic<br />
stromal response. Atrophic prostate<br />
cancer may also be differentiated from<br />
benign atrophy by the presence of<br />
marked cytologic atypia. Atrophy may<br />
show enlarged nuclei and prominent<br />
nucleoli, although not the huge<br />
eosinophilic nucleoli seen in some<br />
atrophic prostate cancers. Finally, the<br />
concomitant presence of ordinary less<br />
atrophic carcinoma can help in recognizing<br />
the malignant nature of the adjacent<br />
atrophic cancer glands.<br />
Pseudohyperplastic variant<br />
Pseudohyperplastic prostate cancer<br />
resembles benign prostate glands in that<br />
the neoplastic glands are large with<br />
branching and papillary infolding {1146,<br />
1485}. The recognition of cancer with this<br />
pattern is based on the architectural pattern<br />
of numerous closely packed glands<br />
as well as nuclear features more typical<br />
of carcinoma. One pattern of pseudohyperplastic<br />
adenocarcinoma consists of<br />
numerous large glands that are almost<br />
back-to-back with straight even luminal<br />
borders, and abundant cytoplasm.<br />
Comparably sized benign glands either<br />
have papillary infoldings or are atrophic.<br />
The presence of cytologic atypia in some<br />
of these glands further distinguishes<br />
them from benign glands. It is almost<br />
always helpful to verify pseudohyperplastic<br />
cancer with the use of immunohistochemistry<br />
to verify the absence of<br />
basal cells. Pseudohyperplastic cancer,<br />
despite its benign appearance, may be<br />
associated with typical intermediate<br />
grade cancer and can exhibit aggressive<br />
behaviour (ie., extraprostatic extension).<br />
Foamy gland variant<br />
Foamy gland cancer is a variant of acinar<br />
adenocarcinoma of the prostate that is<br />
characterized by having abundant foamy<br />
appearing cytoplasm with a very low<br />
nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio. Although<br />
the cytoplasm has a xanthomatous<br />
appearance, it does not contain lipid, but<br />
rather empty vacuoles {2637}. More typical<br />
cytological features of adenocarcinoma<br />
such as nuclear enlargement and<br />
prominent nucleoli are frequently absent,<br />
which makes this lesion difficult to recognize<br />
as carcinoma especially on biopsy<br />
material. Characteristically, the nuclei in<br />
foamy gland carcinoma are small and<br />
densely hyperchromatic. Nuclei in foamy<br />
gland cancer are round, more so than<br />
those of benign prostatic secretory cells.<br />
In addition to the unique nature of its<br />
cytoplasm, it is recognized as carcinoma<br />
by its architectural pattern of crowded<br />
and/or infiltrative glands, and frequently<br />
present dense pink acellular secretions<br />
{1880}. In most cases, foamy gland cancer<br />
is seen in association with ordinary<br />
A<br />
B<br />
Fig. 3.24 Atrophic adenocarcinoma. A Note the microcystic pattern and B the prominent nucleoli.<br />
Acinar adenocarcinoma 175